Signs of Suicide & Out of the Darkness

Ask the Experts by Megan Gunnell, LMSW

Q: I’ve been hearing more and more about suicide recently, both in our community and nationwide. Is there a trend in the spring? What are the warning signs I should be looking out for and what can we do as a community?

A: A recent publication on health.com stated: “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates spike in the spring and to a lesser extent in the fall – not around the holidays as everyone suspects. And suicides in general have increased 24% between 1999-2014, according to a CDC report last year.

The uptick begins in early April and late May. Why? Seasonal brightness may have something to do with it. In a 2016 op-ed in The Washington Post, Harvard professor Matthew Nock cited a study published in JAMA Psychiatry that found as hours of sunlight increased, so did the risk of suicide. “The authors speculate that sunlight could boost energy and motivation, thus giving people who are depressed the ability to take action and make a suicide attempt,” he wrote.

It’s also a very hard time for those who are significantly depressed to be surrounded by a world that is waking up and coming alive. The polarity of what’s around them and how they feel inside is vastly different, sometimes making the person feel even less connected or more isolated from the experience of the world around them.

We need to do a better job of talking about mental health, of reducing stigma and of recognizing warning signs and symptoms.

Risk factors are described in three categories; talk, behavior and mood. If a person exhibits one or more of these warning signs they could be at risk and may need more support.

Talk:

Being a burden to others

Feeling trapped

Experiencing unbearable pain

Having no reason to live

Talk about killing themselves

Behavior:

Increased substance use

Searching for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means

Acting recklessly

Withdrawing from activities Isolating from family and friends

Sleeping too much or too little

Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

Giving away prized possessions

Aggression

Mood:

Depression

Loss of interest

Rage

Irritability

Humiliation

Anxiety

Be vigilant to warning signs in your family members and friends. If you’re concerned about someone, say something. Reach out and let them know you care, they matter and getting help is important.

As a community we can also show our support and awareness in many ways. One of which is by supporting the upcoming “Out of the Darkness” Walk to fight suicide. These walks are organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and are happening all across the country to bring mental health and suicide “out of the darkness.”

Our local walk will happen on Sunday, May 20th at 10am at the South Blue Devil Plaza/Stadium. All are welcome. To register or donate, please visit www.afsp.org/grossepointe

Megan Gunnell, LMSW, MT-BC is a psychotherapist, writer, international retreat leader and public speaker working in Grosse Pointe. A leading expert in wellness, self-care and mindfulness, her work helps clients transform, restore and reach their highest potential. She is currently writing a book for women about restoration, renewal and self-care. Megan can be reached at 248-635‐5285 or visit her website megangunnell.com. She is a member of The Family Center’s Association of Professionals. Enriching Our Community Through Stronger Families The Family Center’s mission is to serve our community through programs and resources vital to today’s families. As a non-profit organization, it is completely supported by community donations. To learn more, visit www.familycenterweb.org, call 313-447-1374 or email info@familycenterweb.org.

Enriched Communities Through Stronger Families
The Family Center serves as the community’s hub for information, resources and referral for both families and professionals. The Family Center is a non-profit organization founded to promote a deeper understanding of the role of parents and others in supporting our youth to become competent, caring and responsible community members.

The Family Center serves as the community’s centralized hub that links families and professionals with resources that promote growth. Our mission is to promote a deeper understanding of the role of parents and others in supporting our youth to become competent, caring and responsible community members.